Puppy found in box with mouth wrapped shut at Gresham park

A second case of disturbing animal abuse has been discovered involving a puppy's mouth tied shut.

A man found a puppy in a box with filthy blankets in Kane Park in Gresham at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The pit bull puppy had its entire muzzle wrapped tightly shut, according to Multnomah County Animal Services.

The dog also had two broken front legs.

"As soon as I pulled the little dirty blanket off I see a little puppy staring at me in the face," said Nestor Salazar, who credits his own curious pit-bull named ‘Goofy' for sniffing the puppy out in the bushes. "I could see the horrified look in his eyes."

On Nov. 24, two girls found a little Shih Tzu lost and bleeding with a rubber band around its mouth in north Portland. Veterinarians said it appeared the dog's mouth had been kept shut for a week.

The investigation is continuing into that case, while Multnomah County Animal Services now investigates the latest instance of heartbreaking animal abuse.

"We don't know at this time if we have a copycat incident," said Animal Services Director Mike Oswald. "What we do know is we need the public's help to find out who is responsible for these cruelties to animals."

Salazar said he hoped to adopt the puppy once it recovers.

"If he gets a clean bill of health soon I'd more than happy to take him home and give him a happy life," he said. "Let him know he's not going to be abused anymore."

Anyone who may have information about either incident can contact Officers Michelle Luckey at 503-988-6238 or Jenny Kimmons at 503-201-0067.

Donations to Dolly's Fund, a special donation fund that helps pay for extra medical care for animals will help cover the costs of the surgery for the pit bull puppy's broken legs. For more information, go to http://multcopets.org.

That orthopedic surgery was set for Thursday. Animal Services workers said they believe there's a good chance for a full recovery. They've named the dog Pluto.

The Shih Tzu was adopted by one of the girls who found it. Similarly, the man who discovered Pluto said he would like to provide the dog with a new loving home.